We define vibrant centres for the arts as agoras whereto all artistic roads lead, combinations of excellent physical and cutting-edge virtual spaces. Vibrant centres for the arts present high-quality art and deliver sufficient profit to invest in creation.

Theatre Management Associates Sdn. Bhd.

Theatre Management Associates Sdn. Bhd. is a joint venture between Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi, Zalfian Fuzi and Philippe Rixhon Associates. It comprises a world-class team of practitioners, arts entrepreneurs, and creative people with vast experience in designing, setting up and launching arts spaces.

Our work around the globe ranges from advising cities, universities, commercial companies and regional authorities what they should build or acquire in the way of cultural or entertainment facilities, to preparing a complete and cost programme of activities to establish a new building and to running arts facilities.

Not only do we work with architects and designers on the actual building and the technical facilities required, but specialise on the following –

the creation and production of the live arts experience

the online, mobile and broadcast presences of the arts experience

the policies and operations of performing arts companies

the programme and exploitation of music and theatrical venues

the mixed funding of the arts, shared between the government and the private sector, be it commercial or non–profit–distributing

the training of artists and arts managers.

Our history of producing and co-producing in the past decades, added to our experience of managing both arts companies and arts venues, provides us with the experience necessary to partner with ambitious facility or building developers.

In embracing the philosophy of LiveLearnWorkPlay, S P Setia has always aimed to foster a vibrant environment for living, working, shopping, education, entertainment and recreation in its developments. In line with this philosophy, S P Setia has plans to create a hub for the performing arts which will offer Kuala Lumpur a brand new vibrant arts and culture destination where everyone will come to enjoy and experience the magic of the arts in all its myriad forms. Theatre Management Associates conducted the feasibility study for an arts-inspired festival hall which will be an exemplary, purpose-designed, building and set a new benchmark for dynamic architecture, theatrical experience and world-class performances.

ASWARA, Kuala Lumpur

TMA and the National Academy of Arts, Culture & Heritage, Malaysia (ASWARA) co-organised master classes on Arts Entrepreneurship in Kuala Lumpur. The master classes changed the audience's way of thinking about the arts. Based on personal experience of every section of the visual and performing arts - from the purely creative to the creative purity of sound management - the classes encapsulated the cultural renaissance that Britain has enjoyed over the last fifty years. The arts community came and listened. Came and asked questions. Shared their experience and contributed to the resurgence of the arts. These free master classes were organised with the support of The Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture and The British Council. This event was "sold out".

The Disney Development Corporation, London

The Disney Development Corporation had successfully entered the theatrical scene on Broadway and wanted to extend its venture into London’s West End. We acted as Disney’s consultants, creating an extensive overview of London’s West End theatre scene, a comprehensive financial analysis of running a major West End theatre and a fully-cost draft programme. On the basis of this report, Disney bought the Lyceum Theatre and produced “The Lion King” which is still running there very successfully.

Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay, Singapore

We advised the Singapore Government on proposals to build an Arts Centre on the Esplanade. From our feasibility study, Theatre Projects Consultants were commissioned to design the new centre drawing extensively on the indigenous architecture of South East Asia. We recommended bringing together the East / West collaboration in the buildings and in the programming. The Theatre on the Bay encompasses three theatre spaces – a main theatre, a lyric theatre and a general purpose performance space - and continues its successful programme of bringing together the best of East and West.

Department of Culture of Hong Kong

Each of Hong Kong’s districts devised productions for themselves and staged them in their own local venues. We were approached by the Department of Culture of Hong Kong to facilitate exchanges of shows within the various districts – to create, in effect a touring circuit. Our work included discussion and consultation with the various stakeholders and we established a cooperative group of local producers who shared their works throughout the various venues to the benefit of all districts of Hong Kong. This proposal was then handed over to the client for them to progress.

The Portland Centre for the Performing Arts, USA

Three separate buildings – the Keller Auditorium (2,992 seats), the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and the Antoinette Hatfield Hall. We were consulted about the costing of a programme of classical concerts, pop, jazz, rock, folk and gospel music, dance, theatre, films and conferences. We acted as consultants on the creation of a centralised box office system, also the interior colourings and the management of catering, which included the first use of portable drinks bars to be brought into the foyers in the intervals – an idea which has since been adopted at venues around the world.

The Chan Centre, Vancouver

We advised the Chan Centre – an arts venue commissioned to meet the needs of the University of British Columbia and to provide a concert hall for the region of Vancouver. Our work involved research, understanding the needs of the indigenous cultural organisations and community, looking at past arts success and establishing future requirements to ensure that the buildings met the needs of the community. We advised on its programming for touring arts productions and conferences as well as ensuring its use by University students of music, theatre and film. The Chan Centre opened to enthusiastic response and continues successfully today as an established multi-purpose venue.

Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, England
We were commissioned by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to undertake an options appraisal of the governance and management of the Assembly Hall Theatre. We undertook a thorough review of the financial position, management, staffing, marketing and day to day operation of this 1,000 seat receiving house. We also examined opportunities for building revenue and box office income, and assessed whether the theatre could sustain a reduction in grant-in-aid from the Borough Council. We made a series of recommendations for improving the way that the theatre operates, which are now being implemented by the Council.

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

The competition winning project for the new Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury was delivered to time and budget, opening to the public on 7 October 2011. The new building has been constructed on the site of the former Marlowe Theatre which was housed in a now demolished 1930s cinema. It contains a 1,200 seat main theatre, a 150 studio theatre, cafes and bars, rehearsal and backstage facilities. The main elements are united by an enwrapping colonnaded glazed foyer which opens onto the River Stour, and mediates between the existing street scale and the larger elements of the composition, such as the main auditorium and the stainless steel mesh clad flytower.

Wexford Opera House, Ireland

Wexford Opera Festival is as important to Ireland as the Glyndebourne Festival is to England. Consequently the building of the new Festival Opera House was Ireland’s most important arts project for many years. The new opera house has been built in the heart of the medieval maritime town. It contains the 780 seat main auditorium, inspired by the form of a cello and completely lined in North American black walnut, full flytower and backstage and a transformable second space of 175 seats, together with rehearsal, production facilities, bars, cafés and foyer spaces.

Unicorn Theatre, London

The multi-award winning Unicorn Theatre for children and young people, located on Tooley Street near London Bridge and the River Thames, is the first new central London theatre to be built since the National in 1976. It houses a 320 seat theatre, a studio theatre, education, teaching and rehearsal spaces, public foyer and café, and his the most far reaching child focused educative and theatrical institution in the United Kingdom. Keith William’s designs derive from a careful assimilation of the programme, a vigilant attitude toward the new building’s context, and the opportunity to treat the project’s formal composition sculpturally.